By Uba Abdullahi
On its efforts to engage Stakeholders in educational advancement in the nation,Aminu Kano Academic Scholars Association has staged a four day National conference in collaboration with Al-Qalam University,Katsina in Katsina State.
The National conference with a theme “Harnessing artificial intelligence for sustainable human capital development, scientific and academic advancement, security enhancement, health living and climate change mitigations in Nigeria brought together experts and professionals from across states of the federation where critical thematic areas are extensively presented as panecea to societal building.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Professor Nasiru Musa Yauri represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Dr Armaya’u Umar Zango charged the participants to actively use the opportunity in making the conference a huge reality and contributes immensely for the overall development of the nation through artificial intelligence knowledge sharing.
Dr Zango, further stressed that Al-Qalam University would continue to partner with Aminu Kano Academic Scholars Association in knowledge sharing and educational advancement for a better Nigeria.
He commended the foresight of the Association for identifying with the University as a citadel of learning and for choosing the University as a ground for the maiden conference which he said has come at the right time when the nation needs the contributions of the Association and for its overall development.
In his keynote address, Professor Mukhtar Umar Bunza,Vice Chancellor Northwest University Sokoto said time has come when artificial intelligence should be embraced and judiciously managed in an academic environment for the betterment of both the academicians and the students.
Professor Bunza, called on other Associations to emulate Aminu Kano Academic Scholars Association on their giant strides in harnessing artificial intelligence as a gateway towards solving socioeconomic predicaments in the nation.
He further reiterated that the conference would add volumes of knowledge to both the participants and the students when properly utilized.
While the led paper presenter,Professor Iliyasu Yusuf from Federal University Dutsin-ma calls for leveraging artificial intelligence for problems solving at different areas of specializations especially on security, climate change mitigations, scientific and academic advancement among others.
Professor Iliyasu Yusuf also commended the breakthrough of the Association for coming up with the Conference which he said is the first of its kind where eminent scholars from across different areas of specializations converged in Katsina and extensively delibrates on different topical issues aimed at finding lasting solutions in academic advancement and society at large.
In his welcome address the Chairman of the local organizing Committee, Professor Umar Gide Saleh highlighted that the conference serves as a turning point of idea crystalizations and avenue for sustainable development through artificial intelligence and knowledge sharing.
Professor Gide Umar Saleh, similarly urges for sustained synergy between the Association and the Faculty of Education in Al-Qalam University, describing the conference as a huge success.
While addressing the Conference participants,the National President of the Aminu Kano Academic Scholars Association, Professor Kolawole Akinjide Aramide represented by the Vice President (North) Dr. Muhammad Umar Sumaila said the Association resolved to conduct the maiden conference in Al-Qalam University Katsina in recognition of the State’s strategic contributions to educational advancement in the nation, adding that the conference would be of continuous nature annually.
He appealed to the participants to actively engage themselves in scholarly deliberations during the conference.
In his remarks the National Convener General, Dr Shehu Abubakar said the idea behind the establishment the Association was to bring together Scholars of international reputations from across the nation and beyond to streamline and fine-tune more avenues for Educational advancement and development through different areas of specializations hence the motto of the Association, knowledge without borders.
Dr Shehu Abubakar, commended the National executives, the local organizing Committee especially Professor Umar Gide Saleh,the management of Al-Qalam University, the government of Katsina State as well as the distinguished participants who travelled from far and near to attend the conference.
He equally thanks the keynote Presenter, Professor Mukhtar Umar Bunza for sparing his tight schedules and delivered a keynote address to the participants.
Series of papers bordered on; Artificial intelligence and psychology and Counseling, AI and Health Science,AI and Social management Science among others were presented during the conference by scholars of international reputations.
During the conference fellowship certificates were awarded to some notable and distinguished executives and later certificates of Award were presented to deserving personalities including, Dr Bilya Sanda(Khadimul Islam), Professor Edwards Adeseye,Dr Aminu Iliyasu, Professor Nasiru Musa Yauri, Professor Abisola Obasanya,Professor Kabiru Bello Dungurawa, Professor I.O. Abimbola,Dr Aminu Salisu Tsauri, Professor Ahmad Muhd Garba KaugamaDr Haruna Umar Maiwada and Professor Afolakemi Olasumbo Oredein among others in recognition of their philanthropic gesture to the development of the Association.
The conference was also attended by all Head of tertiary institutions in Katsina State including Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic,Isa Kaita College of Education, Institute of management and Technology,Yusuf Bala Usman College of Education and Legal Studies Daura, Federal Polytechnic Daura, Federal College of Education among others.
